The Korean proverb “가뭄에 콩 나듯” can be compared to the English expression “once in a blue moon” in that they both convey the idea of rarity or infrequency, but they do so in different cultural contexts.

1. 가뭄에 콩 나듯 (Literally: Beans sprout in a drought):

   • This Korean proverb is used to describe something rare or unexpected happening in difficult or adverse circumstances, similar to how beans sprouting during a drought would be an unusual occurrence.
   • This expression is used metaphorically to describe a situation where something is sporadically present or scarce, similar to how beans might sprout in small, scattered patches during a drought when they should ideally grow uniformly.

2. Once in a blue moon:

   • This English expression refers to something that happens very rarely or infrequently. A “blue moon” is a second full moon that occurs within a calendar month, which itself is a rare event, happening approximately once every 2 to 3 years.

While both expressions convey the notion of rare events, they use different imagery and cultural references. The Korean proverb draws on the agricultural context of beans sprouting during a drought, emphasizing unexpected positive outcomes in difficult situations. On the other hand, “once in a blue moon” relies on the astronomical rarity of two full moons occurring within a month, symbolizing the infrequency of the event.